The Embassy, consulate and ambassador’s residence constitute the French diplomatic campus in China. Here Alain Sarfati has succeeded in squaring the circle: not only bioclimatic excellence, a clear French identity and a subtle tribute to Chinese architecture, but also unity to the necessary distinction between workspace and reception rooms.

Every element – high risk of seismic activity, the danger of flooding, and the severe climate conditions has been meticulously thought through: orientation, shading device horizontal to the south, slanted to the west; to the north, a silk-screened glass veil that creates a thermal protection envelope in winter and natural ventilation in summer. This golden veil scintillates through pinkish beige to reach grey ash depending on the time of day.